Breast cancer research

What we do

Cancer cells exhibit altered transcriptional profiles when compared to their tissue of origin. Genetic alterations participate in promoting defective transcription, however they don't explain the full spectrum of aberrations found in malignant tissues. Gene expression is also controlled via modifications of the chromatin landscape including DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin remodelling. Our objective is to characterize the role of the chromatin landscape in oncogenesis and to understand how cancer cells reprogram the chromatin landscape to stop the treatment from working.

We have used breast cancer models to demonstrate that epigenetic reprogramming of the chromatin landscape promotes the expression of genes directly related to resistance to endocrine therapies. We can create epigenomic maps to study the regulatory networks of cancer cells and determine how these networks respond to therapies. Ultimately, we want to exploit epigenetic mapping to identify drug-responsive targets, biomarkers and develop novel compounds to interfere with reprogramming.

We are also interested in understanding the extent of interactions existing between genetic and epigenetic alterations. It is likely that cancer cells exploit both genetic and epigenetic mutations to promote proliferation, adaptation and invasion.

What’s going on

“May will tell MPs that voting down her proposals on Tuesday would destroy faith in politics”. Dear Teresa, that already happened when “politicians” lied left and right to secure the outcome of the referendum. Faith died under a red bus. #Brexit

1- Every new thought, notion or idea is like a sudden increase in the aperture of the camera in your mind. Initially, there is a flood of light coming in, everything is overwhelming and the first instinct is to shut it off and stick with what you know.